WIMBLEDON

06.25.11

Spanish Activists Planned Protest During Nadal Match

PA Wire / AP Photo

The heated match between Rafael Nadal and Gilles Muller on Saturday was temporarily overshadowed by a group of Spanish activists who were caught trying to bring banners and cans of paint inside Wimbledon's gates. Police believe that the 14 protesters of 15M London, a group that is connected to Spain's mass protests, wanted to create a "demonstration or publicity stunt" during Spanish player Nadal's match. They were stopped at the gate by security, along with thousands of other fans whose entry was delayed by the planned protest. The match went on as scheduled and no arrests were made, but a message went up on the group's website that read: "Important: don't go to Wimbledon - mission aborted." The activists call themselves "a movement of outraged citizens" who target corrupt politicians and bankers.